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Sunderland Squadron Branch Newsletter R.A.A.F Association – Victorian Division Sunderland Branch A.C.N. 004250 248 Incorporating 10 Squadron RAAF, the first RAAF Squadron in action in W.W.II; 461 Squadron RAAF, The Anzac Squadron; and 13 RAF Squadrons 29 July 2018 WINTER 2018 Sunderlanders and friends. Greetings to all Sunderlanders and Friends and I trust that you are enduring the cold wet winter so far by keeping warm or temporarily migrating to warmer climes. The successful Anzac Day Commemorations are over and Commemorations of VP Day and Long Tan Day draw closer. The Anzac Day Report is provided below. Details of the AFA Remembrance Day Service in November are also detailed below. Alan Stark has provided some information about another magnificent Sunderland model by Corgi, this time a 10 Squadron RAAF aircraft. A contingent of Sunderlanders and Friends attended the Commemorations for the 75th Anniversary of the forced landing of “N for Nuts” 461 Squadron on Praa Sands beach in Cornwall. I have a short report below. PAST EVENTS ANZAC DAY MARCH – Wednesday 25 April This year we were blessed with fine although overcast weather clearing to a bright sunny afternoon. Once again there was a very good TV coverage of the two Squadrons marching up the forecourt to the Shrine. I received greetings from Poole Flying Boat Committee Trustees Aimee and Harry Alexander. Thank you to our friends from Poole where 461 Squadron was based for a time at RAF Hamworthy. As in the past a number of the Sunderlanders met for a short chat and quick cup of coffee prior to assembling for the march. We had a great turn out this year with some first-time attendees and some visitors from NSW Branch. My thanks to David and Allan for the roll call. 10 Squadron attendees and marchers were Elaine Craig, Don Hewitt (first time marcher, son of Frank Hewitt who died 29/4/1941), Pam Longe (daughter of Noel Dunn, one of the few surviving Sunderlanders), Erin O'Neill, (first time marcher with us, ex RAAF, former P3 Orion crew member of the "modern era" 10 Squadron), David, Greg and Mark Powis with Abbie, Secretary/Treasurer: Rick Hattam. Please address all, correspondence to Secretary: Rick Hattam, 5 Waurn Park Court, BELMONT VIC 3216, Phone 03 5241 3431, 0418 994 759; [email protected] Dylan and Riley Powis, Ray Rogers, Allan Stark, Julie Taylor with Jay and Maddie Taylor and David White. 461 Squadron marchers were Pam Gibson, Noel Clough, Beau Flaherty from NSW and Rick Hattam. 10 Squadron Banner erected and ready to commence the march. Three of the 10 Squadron stalwarts, David White and Allan Stark with Elaine Craig at rear 461 Squadron Banner with Beau Flaherty (centre) and Noel Clough (right) waiting to step off. 461 Squadron Banner and contingent at the Shrine Our thanks once again go to the Air Force Cadets who did a sterling job carrying our banners. R.A.A.F Association – Victorian Division Sunderland Branch A.C.N. 004250 248 Incorporating 10 Squadron RAAF, the first RAAF Squadron in action in W.W.II; 461 Squadron RAAF, The Anzac Squadron; and 13 RAF Squadrons Following a cup of tea and biscuit from the ever-present Salvos, our NSW member visitors, Anne Pike-Flaherty, her son Beau, daughter Samantha and grand-daughter Ophelia and myself visited the memorial trees for both 10 and 461 Squadrons. It was moving to see floral tributes at both sites and thank you to those Sunderlanders who placed them. This shows to other passing the trees that our Sunderland airmen are not forgotten. 10 and 461 Squadron Plaques at the Memorial Trees 75th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION – PRAA SANDS, CORNWALL 3 JUNE A group of descendants and friends of the crew of 461 Squadron Sunderland “N for Nuts” Captained by Col Walker which made a forced landing on the beach following an epic air to air combat action over the Bay of Biscay attended a Commemorative Service at the memorial on the cliff overlooking the beach at Praa Sands. Secretary/Treasurer: Rick Hattam. Please address all, correspondence to Secretary: Rick Hattam, 5 Waurn Park Court, BELMONT VIC 3216, Phone 03 5241 3431, 0418 994 759; [email protected] View from the Memorial of the beach at Praa Sands where Col Walker successfully force landed “N for Nuts” on the night of 3 June 1943 The Memorial and wreaths NEW MODEL AVAILABLE Thank you to Allan Stark for this information. Following on from the release some time ago of a Corgi aircraft model of N for Nuts of 461 Squadron, another RAAF Sunderland has been immortalized by the issue of a new model. This time the model is a Sunderland Mk III, W3999, RB-Y of 10 Squadron. R.A.A.F Association – Victorian Division Sunderland Branch A.C.N. 004250 248 Incorporating 10 Squadron RAAF, the first RAAF Squadron in action in W.W.II; 461 Squadron RAAF, The Anzac Squadron; and 13 RAF Squadrons The Story of RB-Y from the Corgi Website. Short Sunderland Mk.III W3999/ RB-Y No.10 Squadron RAAF, RAF Mount Batten, Plymouth Sound, Devon, Early 1942 The majestic Sunderland flying boats of RAF Coastal Command were some of the most impressive aircraft of the Second World War and performed vital duties in protecting Britain’s sea lanes from enemy attack. With crews having to endure long and arduous patrols, they would often be sent to rescue downed airmen in perilous situations, with little thought for their own safety. Such an incident occurred on 21st June 1942, when the crew of Sunderland W3999 took off from RAF Mount Batten to try and locate a dinghy containing the crew of a ditched Coastal Command No.172 Squadron Vickers Wellington. On reaching the search area, the Sunderland, along with an accompanying Whitley patrol aircraft, were attacked by a German Arado Ar196 float plane, with the Sunderland taking a number of hits. Losing height immediately, the flying boat effected a landing on the open sea, but at the end of its landing run was seen to explode and sink beneath the waves. Coming under further attack, the Whitley took evasive action, before setting course for home, with the crew having the unpleasant task of confirming that there were no survivors from this tragic incident. There is further reference to this action on page 229 of “Maritime is Number 10”. The Captain was FLt “Buck” Judell. Website Link to the Corgi page. https://www.corgi.co.uk/shop/aircraft/planes/short-sunderland-mkiii-w3999-rb-y-10-squadron- raaf-mount-batten-early-1942.html YouTube link to a shorth video about the model. https://youtu.be/KSirT69-RAg COMING EVENTS ANNUAL POINT COOK PILGRIMAGE – 4 November 2018 Extract of Message from the AFA National President. This year’s Annual Pilgrimage to the AFC Memorial Point Cook will take the form of a WW1 Armistice Commemoration. The commemoration will be held on Sunday November 4th, 2018 to avoid conflict with major commemorations of this historic event. The commemoration is intended to be a signature event for the Air Force Association. Secretary/Treasurer: Rick Hattam. Please address all, correspondence to Secretary: Rick Hattam, 5 Waurn Park Court, BELMONT VIC 3216, Phone 03 5241 3431, 0418 994 759; [email protected] The event is intended to commence with a flying display, and a reception and light meal at the former Officers’ Mess at Point Cook. The commemoration is to be a torchlight service to commence just prior to sunset to signify the cessation of hostilities. The AFC Memorial will be appropriately decorated and lit with strategically placed lighting to provide towers of light behind the memorial. A large National Flag will be draped over the front of the monument. The area surrounding the memorial will be gracefully lit. Attendees will be provided with a torch to hold during the ceremony. Carl Schiller, OAM CSM National President Air Force Association Ltd Monthly Luncheons. Monthly Luncheons are held on the first Tuesday of each month at the East Malvern RSL, Stanley Grose Drive, East Malvern, off Winton Road. See Melways Map 60 A12. There is no luncheon in January and the November luncheon is held on the second Tuesday due to the Melbourne Cup clash on the first Tuesday. SHOPPING SECTION All items now in stock “MARITIME is NUMBER 10” Book – Your Committee has some copies of the reprint of this History of 10 Squadron. Books are available from the Secretary at a cost of $70.00 including GST, packaging and postage. Order forms are available from the Secretary. The reprint is quite good and worth purchasing. “ANZAC SQUADRON” This book relating the story of 461 Squadron the “ANZAC SQUADRON” by Norman Ashworth is also from the Secretary at a cost of $55.00 per copy, postage and handling. Sunderland Lapel Badges – “Sunderland” lapel badges are available from the Secretary at $8.00 ea. packaging and postage paid. 10 and 461 Squadron Plaques We now have both 10 and 461 Squadron Plaques in stock. The cost is $70.00 including GST, postage and packaging. LEST WE FORGET VALE: David Madden, Paratrooper, Friend of the Victorian Sunderlanders and recent Centenarian. .
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